Rising Mercury Levels Over Northern Plains, No Rainfall Likely

Courtesy frequent passage of western disturbances and their induced circulations, most parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan received fairly widespread, light to moderate rainfall over the last 3-4 days.  The day temperatures, which earlier had a rising tendency, dropped below the normal, marginally. Following clearance of the weather activity, these temperatures will find a gradual rise over this week, more so in the second half between 20th and 23rd March.

The western disturbance has moved eastward and cleared the mountainous region. Another western disturbance, but rather feeble and nearly inactive, is likely to approach on 19th March. Scattered and light weather activity is expected over mid and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between 19th and 20th March. Plains of North India are expected to escape any direct impact of this system.

The temperatures, after rising to the low 30s over most parts of Punjab, Haryana and North Rajasthan in the second week of March, dropped significantly over the last weekend. Amritsar, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Ambala, Karnal, Rohtak recorded a day high of 24°C-27°C between 14th and 17th March. A rise in temperature is likely, with effect from today, itself.

The maximum temperature will cross the 30°C mark on 20th March at many places and rise further on the approaching weekend. Malwa and Doaba area of Punjab and southern half of Haryana, more significantly, the areas bordering Rajasthan will witness a gradual rise in the temperatures to the low 30s. Overall, there is likely to be a rise in temperature by 4°-5°C over the next 5-6 days. In the absence of any active weather system, no rainfall is likely during this week.